02/17/2015 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, February 17, 2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Denise Leskinen, Commissioners Kevin Landgraver, Bruce Lemke, and John Thiesse. Representing Staff were Senior Planner Michael Gaffron, City Planner Melanie Curtis, and Recorder Jackie Young. City Council Member Jim Cornick, Jr., was present. Commissioner Jon Schwingler arrived at 6:36 p.m. Chair Leskinen called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. CONSENT AGENDA *1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 20, 2015 Lemke moved, Landgraver seconded, to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission meeting of January 20, 2015, as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. NEW BUSINESS 2. #15-3717 CHAMBERLAIN CAPITAL, LLC, 1340 FOX STREET, VARIANCES, 6:35 P.M. — 6:43 P.M. Curtis stated the subject property is approximately one-half acre in area and is located within the RR -1B, rural residential district, which requires a minimum of two acres. The property owner recently purchased the northern 50 -foot wide portion of this lot in order to combine it with the 100 -foot wide 1340 Fox Street property in order to increase the lot area. The applicant is proposing to construct a new single-family home on the property and is requesting lot area, lot width, front yard and side street setback variances. The property has 129 feet in width where 200 feet in width is required. The property abuts an undeveloped 60 -foot street right-of-way on the west and an undeveloped 12 -foot wide alley on the east. Fox Street dead -ends at this property so the majority of the 30 -foot wide Fox Street right-of-way is undeveloped in front of this property as well. The public rights-of-way are considered side streets for the purpose of measuring setbacks. The home is proposed to be 26.5 feet from Fox Street, 16.2 feet from Barrett Avenue on the west, and 28.4 feet from the undeveloped alley on the east side where 50 -foot setbacks are required. The rear 50 -foot setback will be met. The applicant is also proposing to create a new driveway approach and conduct minor grading within the Fox Street right-of-way which will flatten out the front yard adjacent to the sidewalk. The City's Engineer has reviewed the plans. As noted within Staffs memo, the plans currently reflect structural coverage that exceeds the 15 percent limitation by 138 square feet. It is not the applicant's intent to request a structural coverage variance. The applicant is working on a revised plan to conform. Prior to City Council review of this application, the structural coverage overage should be resolved. Staff finds the size and topography of the property creates a unique circumstance not created by the applicant. Granting the applicant's request is in harmony with the purpose and intent of the ordinance and Page 1 of 11